Laparoscopy in women’s health
LAPAROSCOPY is probably one of the biggest advancements in modern-day surgery. In involves the use of a tiny camera which is used to show high definition video inside the body, thereby avoiding big cuts and big scars. Other miniature surgical instruments are inserted to do the surgery. This is accomplished with surgical scars less than the size of your little fingernail. Today, laparoscopy and other so-called ‘minimal access’ surgeries have become the gold standard in surgical care. Gynaecologists have always been at the forefront of laparoscopy, starting in the 1960s. Interestingly it was a French gynaecologist who paved the way for other specialists in the 1980s by doing the first recognised laparoscopic gall bladder removal. Since then there have been leaps and bounds with respect to laparoscopy in women’s health.
Who benefits from laparoscopy?
Everyone! It’s used to both diagnose disease conditions as well as in the treatment of these and other conditions. In many women the exact cause for long-standing pelvic pain is difficult to diagnose using routine clinic examinations, ultrasounds and even MRIs. Laparoscopy is key in these women, as it allows us to look directly at the pelvic organs and see the exact cause of the pain. Common conditions diagnosed with laparoscopy include endometriosis, ovarian cysts or tumours, pelvic adhesions (painful scar tissue), uterine fibroids, pelvic infections and even cancer.
Women who are having problems getting pregnant may also benefit from laparoscopic diagnosis. At times the routine HSG (hysterosalpingogram) test to check if the tubes are blocked can give false results. This is where laparoscopy comes in; it is more accurate than the HSG in letting us know if the tubes are really blocked.
Treatment can be done at the same time diagnosis is made thereby avoiding having to do a second procedure. Removal of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, scar tissue, fibroids and even the entire womb can be done laparoscopically today.
Why laparoscopic surgery?
There are several reasons why these surgeries are preferably done via this route. The smaller cuts are a clear cosmetic advantage, but it goes far beyond just cute, tiny, barely visible scars. Traditional surgery with big scars often leave patients with significant pain after, requiring long courses of high-dose painkillers and often preventing them from walking around comfortably for weeks. Laparoscopy allows the same surgery to be performed with shorter hospital stays, most patients going home the same day or at most the next day. There is also a lot less pain involved after surgery. Bleeding and other complications is also reduced because the surgery is far more precise. All of these factors lead to a quicker recovery and gets you back into your daily routine faster, some even going back as soon as a few days post procedure.
Cost used to be a deterrent for laparoscopy in the past; however, the disparity isn’t as great today, with gynaecologic laparoscopy costing almost the same as open surgery for some treatments.
This being World Endometriosis Month is a fitting time to learn more about laparoscopy, as it is the cornerstone of diagnosis and treatment of this often debilitating disease.
Dr. Ryan Halsall is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Island Laparoscopy. To schedule a consultation send emails to islandlaparoscopy@gmail.com or call 876-509-0205. Facebook Page – www.Facebook.com/ilap.ja
